Plectrum piano action



April 28, 1964 w. B. TAYLOR PLECTRUM PIANO ACTION Filed May 11, 1962 S Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

W\\ L\AM BTAvLosz BY I ATTORNEYS April 28, 1964 w. B. TAYLOR PLECTRUM PIANO ACTION Filed May 11, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM B.TAYL02.

ATTO RN EYS W. B. TAYLOR PLECTRUM PIANO ACTION April 28, 1964 3 Sheets-$heet 3 Filed May 11, 1962 3 5 8 l 25 7- 3 5 M. m s 4 a HI W I IHHWU a I: G G 2 2 ....2 n %i W fl L Mn/ m NEH (/m/ I INVENTOR. W\u |AM B-TAYLOE,

/ w-Qauzdam ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,136,624 PLECTRUM PIANO ACTION William B. Taylor, Atlanta, Ga, asslgnor to Taylor- Creager Music Corporation, a corporation of Georgia Filed May 11, 1962, Ser. No. 193,917 9 Claims. (Cl. 84-258) This invention relates to musical instruments, and more particularly to an improved plectrum piano action for use with stringed musical instruments.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved piano action for a stringed instrument of the key-operated type wherein depression of a key or pedal moves a pick arm and engages a pick finger with a string of the instrument so as to tension the string during a predetermined preliminary portion of the movement of the pick arm and then to release the string so as to produce audible vibrations thereof, and wherein release of the actuating key or pedal causes a dampening member to engage the string for muting same, the piano action being relatively simple in construction, being positive and reliable in operation, and involving relatively few parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved plectrum piano action provided with means for at times restraining the dampening element associated with a string from engaging same so as to enable sustained audible vibrations of the string to be provided.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved plectrum piano action for use with stringed musical instruments of the key-operated or pedal-operated type, the piano action being relatively inexpensive to manufacture, being rugged in construction, being easy to install, being easy to adjust and to maintain in serviceable condition, and being relatively compact in size.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse vertical cross sectional View taken through a portion of one form of a key-operated stringed instrument of the plectrum type provided with an improved piano action according to the present invention, said view being taken in a plane parallel to one of the keys and transverse to the associated string and showing the key in its normal, non-operated position.

FIGURE 2 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 but showing the positions of the parts of the piano action of FIGURE 1 when the key is returning to its non-operated position subsequent to operation thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of the structure shown in FIGURES l and 2.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary transverse vertical cross sectional view taken through a modified form of piano action according to the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross sectional View, similar to FIGURE 5, but showing the position of the parts when the associated key is returning towards its normal, nonoperated position, namely, when the parts are returning towards the normal position thereof illustrated in FIG- URE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a vertical cross sectional view, similar to FIGURE 1, but showing a modified form of the present invention wherein tone sustaining means is provided, for the purpose of allowing controlled sustained audible vibra tion of a string after it has been plucked.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a portion of the structure of FIGURE 7 and illustrating the manner in which the dampening element is elevated from the string and is supported in elevated position by a sustaining bar.

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FIGURE 9 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 99 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a horizontal cross section view taken substantially on the line 1010 of FIGURE 7.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 4, 10 generally designates an improved piano action for a single string 74 of a musical instrument, according to the present invention, it being understood that similar piano action assemblies are utilized for the other strings of the instrument, the strings varying in length and tension so that they will provide ditferent tones when plucked. The strings may also be of the same length, provided that they vary in diameter and tension.

Designated at 12 is a horizontally disposed key-frame from which rises a guide pin 14 which has circurnposed thereon a sound dampening washer 16 which rests on the upper surface of the key-frame and which is engageable with the under surfaces of a vertically swingable key 18 provided with a vertical bore 20 which loosely receives the upper end of a guide pin 14. The key 18 is formed at its forward end with a reduced portion 22 on which is adjustably secured the horizontal arm 23 of a generally L-shaped hitch bar 24, said horizontal arm being provided with a longitudinal slot 25 through which extends a vertical clamping bolt 26 which is threadedly engaged in the reduced portion 22 of the key and which, when tightened, rigidly secures the horizontal arm 23 on said reduced portion. The member 24 is provided with a depending vertical hitch arm 27 to which is adjustably secured a hitch bracket 28, said bracket being provided with an open-ended vertical slot 29 through which extends a clamping screw 30, the screw 30 being threadedly engaged in the depending arm 27 and clamping the bracket 28 thereto in adjusted position. Secured to the bracket member 28 is the upper portion of a depending spring plate 31, the lower portion of the spring plate being secured to the top end portion of a pick finger 32.

Secured to the lower portion of the pick finger 32 is the depending picker rod 33, said picker rod being normally located on the forward side of the associated string 74, as shown in FIGURE 1, and normally positioned so that its bottom end is disposed below the level of the string.

The pick finger 32 is formed at its lower end with the downwardly and forwardly directed heel member 34, said heel member being provided with a leather cover 35. The heel member is cammingly engageable with the downwardly and forwardly inclined edge as of an escapement arm 37 which is transversely pivoted at 38 in a housing member 39 secured on a transversely extending channelshaped rail 4t), which is in turn secured on a horizontal transversely extending support bar 60 fixedly secured in the musical instrument.

As shown, the housing 39 is provided with a longitudinal slot 41 through which extends a clamping screw 42 which threadedly engages in the channel-shaped rail member 40 so that the member 39 may be adjustably secured thereto. The rear portion of the member 39 is vertically slotted, as shown at 43, and the escapement arm 37 is mounted therein on the transversely extending pivot shaft 38. Escapement arm 37 is formed at its forward end with the stop arm 44 which is engageable with a stop pad 45 secured on a transversely ex.- tending abutment member 46 provided in the lower portion of the slot 43. A coiled spring 47 is mounted on the shaft 38, having one end thereof anchored to the rear portion of the escapement arm 37 and having its other end anchored to the transverse intermediate vertical wall 48 of the housing member 39, biasing the escapement arm 37 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 2, so that the stop arm 44 tends to engage on the stop pad 45, as illustrated in dotted view in FIG- URE 1.

The pick finger 32 is formed at its intermediate portion with the rearwardly projecting lug 49 which is formed with a vertical bore in which is adjustably secured the damper rod 50. The damper rod 50 carries at its bottom end a damper block 51 of felt or similar damping material, the block being arranged so that it normally engages the string 74, as shown in FIGURE 1, but is elevated therefrom when the key 18 is operated, namely, is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, the rod 50 is adjustably secured in the vertical bore of lug 49 by a set screw 52 threadedly engaged in the pick finger 32 and being clampingly engageable with the upper portion of rod 50, as shown in FIGURE 2.

The rear portion of the housing member 39 is formed with the upstanding lug or flange 53 in which is threaded the horizontal bolt member 54 carrying on its rear end a felt stop pad 55 which is engageable with the pick finger 32, whereby to establish the normal position of the pick finger relative to the housing member 33.

In operation, when the key is operated, namely, is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 1, the heel member 34 rides upwardly along the inclined edge 35 of the escapement member 37, moving the picker rod 33 in a similar direction so that the picker rod moves upwardly and rearwardly in the direction shown in FIGURE 1 toward the dotted position thereof, engaging the string 74 and tensioning said string to a predetermined degree, after which the string is released and emits audible vibrations at its natural frequency. Simultaneously with the upward and rearward movement of the picker rod 33 the dampening member 51 is elevated, as shown in dotted view in FIGURE 1, whereby the string 74 is free to vibrate. The heel member 34 rises above the rear end of the escapement arm 37, and upon release of the key 18, the pick finger 32 descends, engaging the top edge of the escapement arm 37 and causing the arm 37 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 1 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 2. Thus, the pick finger 32 and the picker rod 33 carried thereby are able to descend vertically, after disengaging from the escapement arm 37 in the upward movement of the pick finger, so that the pick finger may descend vertically in the manner shown in FIGURE 2 to the starting position thereof shown in FIGURE 1 without engaging the string 74. The escapement arm 37 is free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, against the tension of the spring 47, so that the pick finger 32 is allowed to descend from the full line position thereof shown in FIGURE 2 to the dotted view position thereof, the heel member 34 slipping past the rear corner of the escapement arm 37 and finally moving into the position thereof shown in FIGURE 1, wherein the escapement arm 37 is returned by the spring 47 to its normal position, namely, with its stop arm 44- engaging the stop pad 45. Under these conditions, the dampening member 51 likewise descends to engage the string 74, preventing further vibrations of said string.

In the modification shown in FIGURES and 6, the escapement member, shown at 37' is formed at its upper rear corner with a right angled notch 38' in which is secured a felt pad 39. The leather covered heel member 34 normally engages in the notch 38, the escapement arm 37' being normally rotated downwardly to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 5, against the tension of the escapement arm biasing spring shown at 47'. When the pick finger 32 is elevated, as a result of operation of the associated key, the end of the heel element 34 pivots in the notch 33, allowing the escapement arm 37 to be rotated in a clockwise direction by its biasing spning 47, thereby urging the pick finger 32 outwardly, namely, to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 5, whereby the lower end of the picker rod 33 moves in an arcuate path upwardly and rearwardly and plucks the string '74. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5, the picker rod 33 moves in an arcuate path upwardly and rearwardly, following the swinging rotation of the escapement arm 37', whereas in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4, the picker rod 33 moves upwardly and rearwardly in a substantially straight line, following the upward and rearward inclination of the camming surface 36 of escapement member 37.

As shown in FIGURE 6, when the key is released, the pick finger 32 is allowed to descend vertically and the leather covered heel member 34 engages the top edge of the rearwardly extending arm portion of the escapement member 37', causing the escapement member to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 6. 34 engages in the notch 33' as it moves downwardly, reestablishing the position of the elements shown in FIG- URE 5. Under these conditions the dampening member 51 again engages the string '74, preventing vibration of said string until the key is again operated.

In both forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to 4 and FIGURES 5 and 6 the connecting spring 31 biases the pick finger 32 towards its normal position, namely, the position wherein the picker rod 33 is located forwardly of the associated string 74-.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG- URES 7 to 10, a depending transversely extending bar 56 is secured to the frame member I2, and a horizontal plate 57 is fastened to the bottom edge of the member 56. Secured on the plate member 57 is an upstanding block 58, and connected to said block by a spring plate 59 is an arm 6]. having a depending forward end portion 62 to which is secured a dampening member 63 engageable on the string 74 of the associated key I8. As wiil be understood, a dampening arm 61 is provided for each key is.

The forward portion of each arm 61 is provided with an upstanding loop member 64 having a downwardly facing hook-shaped top portion which receives the horizontally extending bottom end 65 of a depending rod member 66 adjustably secured in the associated hitch block, shown at 24. Thus, the rod 66 extends through a vertical bore provided in the associated hitch block 24 and is adjustably secured therein by a set screw 67.

As will be readily apparent, counterclockwise rotation of the key 18 causes the associated lifting rod as to elevate the forward end portion of the associated arm 61 to raise the dampening element 53 from the string 74. The arm 61 is biased downwardly by the resilient connecting spring member 59.

Each arm 61 is formed at its intermediate portion with a longitudinal slot 63 in which is pivotally mounted a normally depending arm 69, the arm being free to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG- URES 7 and 8, but being limited in its clockwise rotation by engagement with a felt pad 71 secured in the rear end portion of the slot 68. Thus, the arm 69 is limited in its clockwise rotation to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 8, but may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction from this position.

Designated at 72 is a horizontally movable sustaining arm which is mounted on a horizontally movable member 73 connected in any suitable manner to the sustaining pedal of the musical instrument for horizontal reciproaction responsive to actuation of said pedal. Thus, when the pedal is depressed, the member 73 is moved horizontally to the right from the position thereof shown in FIGURE 7 to the position thereof shown in FIGURE 8, namely, to a position wherein the forward end of the member 72 underlies the depending element 653 of the arm 61 associated with the various keys of the instrument. The forward end of each member 72 is provided with a felt pad 75, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, so as to cushion the engagement of this element with the associated depending arm 69.

The heel member As will be readily apparent, operation of the sustaining pedal will have no effect except with respect to the strings which have been plucked, since the forward movement of the member 73 causes the arm 69 of the non-active strings to be merely rotated forwardly to the dotted view positions thereof shown in FIGURE 7, without affecting the positions of the arms 61. However, in the case of those keys which have been actuated, for example, the condition illustrated in FIGURE 8 wherein an arm 61 has been elevated by its associated lifting rod 66, the end of the associated member 72 passes beneath the depending arm 69, so that when the key is released, the member 61 is supported in elevated position, allowing the associated string 74 to continue its vibration. The string remains free to vibrate until the dampening pedal is released, whereupon the conventional retracting mechanism associated with the member 73 retracts said member to the left, as viewed in FIGURE 8, releasing the members 61 heretofore held elevated and allowing the associated dampening member 63 to descend and engage the strings 74, preventing any further vibration of said strings.

As will be readily apparent, the sustaining mechanism illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8, 9 and 10 may be employed either with the form of piano action illustrated in FIG- URES l to 4 or with that illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6. The sustaining mechanism of FIGURES 7, 8, 9 and 10 has been illustrated as employed in conjunction with the piano action specifically shown in FIGUES 1 to 4 merely by way of axarnple.

It will be noted that in both forms of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 4 and FIGURES 5 and 6, as well as in the further modification thereof illustrated in FIGURES 7, 8, 9 and 10, the spring plate 31 biases the pick finger 32 into engagement with the adjustable felt stop member 55, and that when the pick finger is elevated by the operation of the associated key, it is moved laterally, either in the linear path provided by the camming engagement between the inclined top surface of heel member 34 with the camming edge 36 of the escapement arm 37 in FIGURES 1 to 4, or moved arcuately upwardly and laterally by the rotation of the escapement arm 37 in FIGURES 5 and 6.

It is to be noted that the action above described is not limited to use in instruments of the key-operated type but may also be employed in instruments using other types of operating members, such as foot pedals, or the like, for example, organ pedals.

It is to be further noted that the keys, pedals, or other operating members of the instrument may be positioned parallel to the strings, instead of transverse thereto.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved plectrum piano action for a musical instrument have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument having a vibratable string, a fixed support, an operating member pivoted on said support, said operating member having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm mounted on and extending forwardly from said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger for engaging beneath and elevating the musical instrument string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member,

a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly inclined camming top surface, said escapement arm having abutment means extending adjacent and 0p eratively engaging at least a portion of said camming top surface to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the operating member to cause the picker rod to engage said spring.

2. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed support, an operating member pivoted on said support, said operating member having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm mounted on and extending forwardly from said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, and abutment means on said rear end of the escapement arm extending adjacent said heel member and operatively engaging at least a portion of said downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the operating member to cause the picker rodto engage said string.

3. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed support, an operating member pivoted on said support, said operating member having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm mounted on and extending forwardly from said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and extending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, spring means biasing said rear end of the escapement arm upwardly, and abutment means on said rear end of the escapement arm extending adjacent said heel member and operatively engaging at least a portion of said downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the operating member to cause the picker rod to engage said string.

4. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed support, an operating member pivoted on said support, said operating member having a forward end, a

generally L-shaped support arm extending forwardly from said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said lastnamed fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly inclined camming top surface, said escapement arm having abutment means extending adjacent and operatively engaging at least a portion of said camming top surface to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the operating member to cause the picker rod to engage said string, a dampening member located above the string and normally engaging thereon, and means to elevate said dampening member simultaneously with the elevation of said pick finger.

5. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed support, an operating member pivoted on said support, said operating member having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm on said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, spring means biasing said rear end of the escapement arm upwardly, abutment means on said rear end of the escapement arm extending adjacent said heel member and operatively engaging at least a portion of said downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the operating member to cause the picker rod to engage said string, a dampening member located above the string and normally engaging thereon, and means to elevate said dampening member simultaneously with the elevation of said pick finger.

6. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed key support, a key pivoted on said support, said key having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm mounted on and extending forwardly from said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, spring means biasing said rear end of the escapement arm upwardly, abutment means on said rear end of the escapement arm extending adjacent said heel member and operatively engaging at least a portion of said downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the key to cause the picker rod to engage said string, a horizontal support arm resiliently connected to said key support, a dampening member carried by said last-named support arm and extending over said string and being normally engageable thereon, means to elevate said last-named horizontal support arm simultaneously with the elevation of said pick finger, a support lever pivoted to said last-named support arm and normally depending therefrom, and a horizontal- 1y movable sustaining bar engageable beneath the lower end of said support lever to retain said last-named support arm in an elevated position with said dampening member spaced above the string.

7. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed key support, a key pivoted on said support, said key having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm on said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, spring means biasing said rear end of the escapement arm upwardly, abutment means on said rear end of the escapement arm extending adjacent said heel member and operatively engaging at least a portion of said downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the key to cause the picker rod to engage said string, a horizontal support arm resiliently connected to said key support, a dampening member carried by said last-named support arm and extending over said string and being normally engageable thereon, an upstanding loop element on said support arm adjacent said dampening member, a depending connecting rod carried by said first-named support arm and operatively engaged in said loop element to elevate said last-named horizontal support arm simultaneously with the elevation of said pick finger, a support lever pivoted to said last-named support arm and normally depending therefrom, and a horizontally movable sustaining bar engageable beneath the lower end of said support lever to retain said last-named support arm in an elevated position with said dampening member spaced above the string.

8. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed support, an operating member pivoted on said support, said operating member having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm mounted on and extending forwardly from said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned for-, wardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said last-named fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, and a downwardly and forwardly directed camming edge on the rear end of said escapement arm extending adjacent to and being cammingly engageable with said forwardly and downwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the operating member to cause the picker rod to engage said string.

9. In a plectrum piano action for a musical instrument, a fixed key support, a key pivoted on said support, said key having a forward end, a generally L-shaped support arm on said forward end, said support arm having a depending arm portion, a vertical pick finger, a flexible spring connecting the top portion of said pick finger to said depending arm portion, a picker rod secured to and depending from the rear side of said pick finger, a musical instrument string extending adjacent said picker rod, said picker rod being engageable with said string for tensioning the string preparatory to release thereof for audible vibration, another fixed support positioned forwardly of the pick finger, a housing member mounted on said lastnamed fixed support, an escapement arm pivoted in said housing member, a forwardly directed heel member on the lower end of said pick finger, said heel member having a downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion disposed adjacent to the rear end of the escapement arm, spring means biasing said rear end of the escapement arm upwardly, a downwardly and forwardly directed camming edge on the rear end of said escapement arm extending adjacent to and being cammingly engageablewith said downwardly and forwardly directed edge portion to move the pick finger rearwardly responsive to the elevation of said pick finger by the key to cause the picker rod to engage said string, a horizontal support arm resilient- 1y connected to said key support, a dampening member carried by said last-named support arm and extending over said string and being normally engageable thereon, an upstanding loop element on said support arm adjacent said dampening member, a depending connecting rod carried by said first-named support arm and operatively engaged in said loop element to elevate said last-named horizontal support arm simultaneously with the elevation of said pick finger, a support lever pivoted to said last-named support arm and normally depending therefrom, and a horizontally movable sustaining bar engageable beneath the lower end of said support lever to retain said lastnamed support arm in an elevated position with said dampening member spaced above the string.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Casciotta July 17, 1923 

1. IN A PLECTRUM PIANO ACTION FOR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A VIBRATABLE STRING, A FIXED SUPPORT, AN OPERATING MEMBER PIVOTED ON SAID SUPPORT, SAID OPERATING MEMBER HAVING A FORWARD END, A GENERALLY L-SHAPED SUPPORT ARM MOUNTED ON AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID FORWARD END, SAID SUPPORT ARM HAVING A DEPENDING ARM PORTION, A VERTICAL PICK FINGER, A FLEXIBLE SPRING CONNECTING THE TOP PORTION OF SAID PICK FINGER TO SAID DEPENDING ARM PORTION, A PICKER ROD SECURED TO AND DEPENDING FROM THE REAR SIDE OF SAID PICK FINGER FOR ENGAGING BENEATH AND ELEVATING THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRING FOR TENSIONING THE STRING PREPARATORY TO RELEASE THEREOF FOR AUDIBLE VIBRATION, ANOTHER FIXED SUPPORT POSITIONED FORWARDLY OF THE PICK FINGER, A HOUSING MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID LAST-NAMED FIXED SUPPORT, AN ESCAPEMENT ARM PIVOTED IN SAID HOUSING MEMBER, A FORWARDLY DIRECTED HEEL MEMBER ON THE LOWER END OF SAID PICK FINGER, SAID HEEL MEMBER HAVING A DOWNWARDLY AND FORWARDLY INCLINED CAMMING TOP SURFACE, SAID ESCAPEMENT ARM HAVING ABUTMENT MEANS EXTENDING ADJACENT AND OPERATIVELY ENGAGING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CAMMING TOP SURFACE TO MOVE THE PICK FINGER REARWARDLY RESPONSIVE TO THE ELEVATION OF SAID PICK FINGER BY THE OPERATING MEMBER TO CAUSE THE PICKER ROD TO ENGAGE SAID SPRING. 